President Donald Trump revived his controversial stance on Greenland during a NATO summit, stating the territory should fall under U.S. control rather than Denmark’s. Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump emphasized Greenland's strategic importance amid increased Russian and Chinese activities in the area.
Trump criticized Denmark for not contributing financially or militarily to Greenland’s defense and questioned the value of U.S. support for NATO allies, suggesting the U.S. could withdraw troops from Europe without consequence. He described Europe’s security environment as drastically changed compared to two decades ago.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory situated between the U.S. and Russia, has long been viewed as a critical asset in global geopolitics. Trump has repeatedly argued that Denmark cannot effectively safeguard the island from foreign influence, a position that Denmark’s leadership has firmly rejected. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated her country’s opposition to any U.S. takeover, affirming that Greenland’s status will remain unchanged.
Trump’s renewed claims come after past attempts to pressure Denmark through threats of tariffs and diplomatic pressure, which generated criticism from both European leaders and members of his own party in the U.S. His aggressive approach toward Greenland further strained transatlantic relations, compounded by his repeated accusations that NATO allies do not contribute their fair share to collective defense.
In the broader context of NATO, tensions escalated due to disagreements over military cooperation following the Iran conflict. Trump accused many European members of refusing to permit American forces to use their bases for offensive operations, underscoring his dissatisfaction with the alliance. Ahead of the summit, Trump labeled continued U.S. defense support under the current conditions as “ridiculous,” calling for more reciprocity from NATO members.
Despite these disputes, U.S. officials report ongoing monthly discussions with Denmark and Greenland regarding strategic issues, though the underlying political discord remains unresolved.